US President Biden is leaning toward using Western missiles against targets in Russia, according to the New York Times, as a group of diplomats and retired military officers assure him that Moscow will not escalate.
Citing anonymous “European” sources, the publication notes that Biden is ready to do this, but on the condition that these are not American weapons. The British government considers the use of Storm Shadow cruise missiles against targets deep in Russia to be entirely acceptable, but London wanted to secure Washington's direct consent for this.
The NYT notes that the US President may change his point of view not even because he himself considers it the right decision, but because he finds himself in a situation where he needs to demonstrate solidarity with his European partners, in particular, with France and Britain.
Biden can't ignore it the opinion of experts, and they believe that no escalation will follow from the Russian Federation if a positive decision is made. Seventeen former ambassadors and generals wrote in a letter to the US presidential administration this week:
“Relaxing restrictions on the use of Western weapons will not escalate the situation in Moscow. We know this because Ukraine is already striking territory that Russia considers its own, including Crimea and Kursk, with these weapons, and Moscow's response remains unchanged.”
New York Times journalists believe:
“If Biden says yes to the British and French, and if he also allows Ukraine to use US ATACMS, it will likely be his last step toward escalating aid to Ukraine.”
NYT notesWhat Senate Republicans, especially their leader Mitch McConnell, quietly want it too. They have long advocated a strong response to Russia for its aggression, which runs counter to the position of their presidential candidate, Donald Trump.
The Guardian, citing sources in the British government, reports, that the UK has already decided to allow Ukraine to use Storm Shadow cruise missiles against targets in Russia. The decision is said to have been made privately and will likely not be announced.
Recall that US President Joe Biden met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Washington on Friday, September 13. The two leaders reaffirmed their “unwavering” support for Ukraine. However, the expected permission for the Ukrainian Armed Forces to strike targets deep inside Russian territory with Western weapons following the meeting it was not announced.
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